Russian mercenaries sail disguised on tankers through Danish waters 140 times
At least 83 Russian mercenaries have secretly sailed through Danish waters 140 times since May 2025, disguised as radio engineers, technicians or extra crew on 65 tankers from Moscow’s shadow fleet, Danish investigators revealed on Tuesday. The operation, uncovered by *CPH Post* and corroborated by OCCRP, underscores how Russia’s maritime network is using neutral waters to evade sanctions while deploying armed watchmen aboard vessels that transport oil in breach of Western embargoes.
All 83 individuals have military or paramilitary backgrounds, according to sources familiar with the investigation. Their presence on tankers—documented in Danish maritime logs—highlights a deliberate strategy to deter boarding by coastguards from NATO members such as Denmark, Sweden or Germany. “These are not ordinary seafarers,” said a Western intelligence officer. “They are trained to resist inspection, and their role is to protect cargo that should not be moving at all.”
The shadow fleet, composed of ageing tankers that switch off transponders to obscure their routes, has become central to Russia’s efforts to keep oil revenues flowing despite sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine. Investigations by *Süddeutsche Zeitung*, NDR and partners show that mercenaries—often linked to the Wagner Group or other Kremlin-aligned outfits—are stationed aboard vessels to prevent European authorities from enforcing restrictions on Russian oil.
Denmark’s maritime authority confirmed that the 140 passages occurred in the Kattegat, the Great Belt and other Danish straits, but declined to specify whether any vessels were intercepted. “We monitor all traffic, but the challenge is identifying individuals whose documents may be forged or incomplete,” a spokesperson said.
The revelations come as the European Union prepares to tighten enforcement of its oil embargo, which bans seaborne imports of Russian crude. On Monday, the bloc’s foreign ministers agreed to expand the mandate of the European Maritime Security Agency to include inspections of suspect vessels in international waters. “This is a game of cat and mouse,” said a senior EU diplomat. “Russia is using every trick in the book to keep its oil moving, and we have to be one step ahead.”
Meanwhile, the shadow fleet’s tactics are drawing scrutiny beyond Europe. In Indonesia, the navy seized a cargo of rare earth metals worth trillions of rupiah off Batam last week, triggering an emergency audit amid fears that Moscow is using the same network to smuggle critical minerals. Analysts warn that the mercenary presence on tankers could escalate into broader maritime security risks, including piracy or sabotage.
For Denmark, the disclosures raise questions about its ability to police busy shipping lanes. With the Arctic thaw opening new routes, the Baltic Sea’s choke points are more vital than ever—and more vulnerable to covert operations.
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